High fiber count pre-terminated optical distribution assembly

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a furcated optical fiber cable are provided. A main distribution cable has optical fibers surrounded by a cable jacket. The optical fibers are divided into at least two furcation legs. A furcation plug is located at a transition point between the main distribution cable and the at least two furcation legs. The furcation plug surrounds at least a portion of the main distribution cable and each of the at least two furcation legs. Optical connectors are provided for each of the at least two furcation legs, and each connector includes optical fibers that are spliced at a splice location to the optical fibers of the connector&#39;s respective furcation leg. The splice location is closer to the connector than to the furcation plug. A method of furcating an optical fiber cable and a pulling configuration for the furcated optical fiber cable are also provided.

PRIORITY APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.16/011,938, filed Jun. 19, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/525,970, filed on Jun. 28, 2017, thecontent of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates generally to optical cables and more particularlyto a furcated optical fiber cable. A main optical cable line can includemany branch lines that divert a portion of the optical fibers of themain optical cable to end users. Some main optical cable lines aremanufactured with branch lines located in predetermined locations inorder to avoid having a technician splice on branch lines in the field,which typically is costly, time-consuming, and less accurate than can beaccomplished in the manufacturing facility. In branching the opticalfibers, vulnerabilities tend to be created in the protective jacket ofthe main optical cable line at the location of the branch, for exampleas a result of the opening in the cable jacket created to access thefibers to create the branch. These vulnerabilities are potential sourcesof mechanical and environmental damage to the underlying optical fibers.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, embodiments of an optical fiber cable are provided. Theoptical fiber cable includes a main distribution cable having aplurality of optical fibers surrounded by a cable jacket. Further theoptical fiber cable includes at least two furcation legs into which theplurality of optical fibers are divided. The at least two furcation legstransition from the main distribution cable, and each of the at leasttwo furcation legs extends from the distribution cable along alongitudinal axis. The optical fiber cable further includes a furcationplug located at a transition point between the main distribution cableand the at least two furcation legs. The furcation plug surrounds atleast a portion of the main distribution cable and each of the at leasttwo furcation legs. Also included in the optical fiber cable is anoptical connector for each of the at least two furcation legs. Eachconnector includes optical fibers that are spliced at a splice locationto the optical fibers of the connector's respective furcation leg.Moreover, for each of the at least two furcation legs, the splicelocation is closer to the connector than to the furcation plug asmeasured in a direction along the longitudinal axis of each furcationleg.

In another aspect, embodiments of a method of furcating an optical fibercable are provided. The method includes a step of dividing a pluralityof optical fibers from a main distribution cable into at least twofurcation legs. Also, a jacket of each of the at least two furcationlegs is slid towards the main distribution cable so as to expose atleast a three-inch portion of the optical fibers in each of the at leasttwo furcation legs. Further, optical fibers of a connector are splicedto the exposed portion of the optical fibers of each furcation leg. Thejacket of each furcation leg is then slid toward the connector, and afurcation plug is placed at a location where the main distribution cableis divided into the at least two furcation legs. Finally, the exposedportion of the optical fibers of each furcation leg is covered.

In still another aspect, embodiments of a pulling configuration for afurcated optical fiber cable are provided. The pulling configurationincludes a main distribution cable including a plurality of opticalfibers surrounded by a cable jacket and at least two furcation legs intowhich the plurality of optical fibers are divided. The at least twofurcation legs transition from the main distribution cable. Further, afurcation plug is located at a transition point between the maindistribution cable and the at least two furcation legs. The furcationplug surrounds at least a portion of the main distribution cable andeach of the at least two furcation legs. A pulling ring encircles themain distribution cable and is located on a side of the furcation plugopposite the furcation legs. A pulling mesh surrounds the at least twofurcation legs, and a pulling loop is formed at an end of the pullingmesh. The pulling loop is mechanically linked to the main distributioncable via the pulling ring such that pulling forces on the pulling loopare primarily borne by the main distribution cable.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detaileddescription that follows, and in part will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing theembodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof,as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are merely exemplary, and areintended to provide an overview or framework to understand the natureand character of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of thisspecification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), andtogether with the description serve to explain principles and theoperation of the various embodiments.

FIG. 1 depicts a furcated optical fiber cable, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the main distribution cableportion of the furcated optical fiber cable, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 3 depicts an optical fiber ribbon usable in a furcated opticalfiber cable, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a furcation location showing a distributioncable ribbon being split into two furcation legs in an initial step of afurcation method, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view showing sliding of a furcation leg jacketforward after a splice has been made, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the furcation legs and main distributioncable after the furcation jackets have been slid forward to meet theconnectors, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a furcation leg after a heat shrink wraphas been applied around the splice and exposed optical fiber ribbons,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the furcation plug being sealed to the maindistribution cable and the furcation legs, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of an overmold applied around the heat shrinkwrap of a furcation leg, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 depicts a first configuration for pulling a furcated opticalfiber cable through ductwork, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 depicts a second configuration for pulling a furcated opticalfiber cable through ductwork, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 depicts a third configuration for pulling a furcated opticalfiber cable through ductwork, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a furcatedoptical fiber cable are depicted. In particular, the furcated opticalfiber cable includes two or more furcation legs that are spliced near tothe connector instead of near to the location of the furcation. Inparticular, each furcation leg includes a slidable jacket that can bemoved to provide enough room for fusion splicing of the optical fiber orfibers to the optical fiber or fibers of the connector. The slidablejacket creates two sections of exposed fiber in which a first section iscovered with a furcation plug and a second section is covered with anovermold and/or heat shrink wrap. Furcating and splicing the cable inthis way lowers the overall profile of the cable. Indeed, as compared toprevious furcated optical fiber cables, the presently disclosed opticalfiber cable advantageously allows for smaller sections of cabledisruption resulting from furcation. Additionally, the presentlydisclosed optical fiber cable is able to provide staggered connectors tofacilitate pulling the cable in standard two inch ducts. Further, thepresently disclosed optical fiber cable utilizes a short, rigidfurcation plug that provides superior anchoring for high strengthpulling grips. These and other advantages will be discussed below withreference to non-limiting, exemplary embodiments. Other modificationsmay become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art uponconsideration of the present disclosure, and such modifications areconsidered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

With initial reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a furcated opticalfiber cable 10 is depicted. As can be seen, the furcated optical fibercable 10 has a main distribution cable 12 from which four furcation legs14 extend. While four furcation legs 14 are shown for illustrativepurposes, in other embodiments, the main distribution cable 12 can befurcated into, e.g., from two to twelve or more furcation legs 14. Thefurcation of the furcation legs 14 from the main distribution cable 12is facilitated by a furcation plug 16. The furcation plug 16 stabilizesand protects the location of furcation such that the interior of themain distribution cable 12 is not exposed to environmental hazards. Asis also depicted in FIG. 1, the furcation legs 14 have different lengthssuch that each leg is customized in length to cover the particulardistance to the installation point. Generally, the furcation legs 14 arefrom three to six feet in length; however, in certain embodiments, thefurcation legs are up to eighteen or twenty feet in length. In aparticular embodiment, a furcated optical fiber cable 10 contains twelvefurcation legs 14 that are staggered in length from three to six feet,e.g., each furcation leg 14 is three inches shorter than the successivefurcation leg 14. The ability to stagger the length of the furcationlegs 14 decreases the overall profile of the furcated optical fibercable 10, which as will be discussed more fully below has advantages forpulling the cable 10 through ductwork.

Also, advantageously, each furcation leg 14 is connectorized, i.e., eachfurcation leg 14 is pre-terminated with a connector 18. In embodiments,the connectors 18 are a multi-fiber, mechanical transfer (“MT”)connector, such as the OptiTip® MT connector (available from CorningIncorporated, Corning, N.Y.). As will be discussed more fully below, theconnectors 18 are spliced to the furcation leg 14 near the end of thefurcation leg 14, and the splices are protected, in part, with anovermold 20. The connectors 18 allow the furcation legs 14 to be pluggedinto multiport terminals, splitters, etc. without requiring in-fieldtermination and connectorization.

In order to facilitate discussion of the furcation process, thecomponents of the main distribution cable 12 are discussed herein anddepicted in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the main distribution cable 12 isdepicted as an optical fiber ribbon cable; however, in otherembodiments, the main distribution cable 12 is a loose tube cable. Inparticular, the main distribution cable 12 is depicted as an elongatedor racetrack profile cross-section cable, such as RPX® Gel-Free RibbonCable (available from Corning Incorporated, Corning, N Y). The maindistribution cable 12 includes an outer cable jacket, shown as outercable jacket 22. As will be generally understood, the interior of thecable jacket 22 defines an internal region within which the variouscable components discussed herein are located.

In various embodiments, cable jacket 22 is formed from an extrudedthermoplastic material. In various embodiments, cable jacket 22 may be avariety of materials used in cable manufacturing such as polyethylene,medium density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidenedifluoride (PVDF), nylon, polyester or polycarbonate and theircopolymers. In addition, the material of cable jacket 22 may includesmall quantities of other materials or fillers that provide differentproperties to the material of cable jacket 22. For example, the materialof cable jacket 22 may include materials that provide for coloring,UV/light blocking (e.g., carbon black), burn resistance/flameretardance, etc.

Contained within main distribution cable 12 is a stack 24 of opticalfiber ribbons 26. Each ribbon 26 includes multiple optical transmissionelements or optical waveguides, shown as optical fibers 28. As shown inFIG. 2, main distribution cable 12 includes a single stack 24 of opticalfiber ribbons 26. In various embodiments, main distribution cable 12includes at least two ribbons 26 within stack 24, and each ribbon 26supports from four to twenty-four optical fibers 28. In the particularembodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the stack 24 contains three ribbons 26with twenty-four optical fibers 28 in each optical fiber ribbon 26.However, in other embodiments, a different number of ribbons 26,including more or less than shown in FIG. 2, may be provided in the maindistribution cable 12. Additionally, in other embodiments, a differentnumber of optical fibers 28, including more or less than shown in FIG.2, may be provided within each ribbon 26. Still further, in otherembodiments, multiple stacks 24, each included, e.g., in separate buffertubes, are contained in the main distribution cable 12.

In the embodiment shown, multiple strength members 32 are embedded incable jacket 22 to provide structure and protection to the opticalfibers 28 during and after installation (e.g., protection duringhandling, protection from the elements, protection from the environment,protection from vermin, etc.). In various embodiments, main distributioncable 12 includes two strength members 32 that are arranged on oppositessides of the main distribution cable 12. Each strength member 32 may beany suitable axial strength member, such as a glass-reinforced plasticrod, steel rod/wire, etc. Main distribution cable 12 may include avariety of other components or layers, such as a metal armor layer,helically wrapped binders, circumferential constrictive thin-filmbinders, water blocking tape materials, water-blocking fiber materials,etc. In particular, in the embodiment shown, main distribution cable 12includes water swellable tape 34 above and below the stack 24 of opticalfiber ribbons 26. Still further, the main distribution cable 12 caninclude one or more preferential tear feature and/or ripcord embedded inor underneath cable jacket 22.

FIG. 3 depicts the construction of an exemplary embodiment of an opticalfiber ribbon 26 such as might be carried in the main distribution cable12 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). As can be seen, the optical fiber ribbon 26includes a plurality of optical fibers 28. In the embodiment depicted,there are twelve optical fibers 28. Each optical fiber 28 includes aglass core and cladding region 36 along which optical signals propagate.In particular, the core is surrounded by the cladding so as tosubstantially keep the optical signals within the core duringtransmission. The core and cladding region 36 is surrounded by a primarycoating 38 and a secondary coating 40. The dual layer coating, i.e.,primary coating 38 and secondary coating 40, provide enhanced protectionfor the core and cladding region 36 against microbending-inducedattenuation. In embodiments, each optical fiber 28 in the optical fiberribbon 26 has a different color ink layer applied to the secondarycoating 40 such that the optical fibers 28 can be discerned from eachother during installation, splicing, repair, etc.

A polymeric matrix 42 holds the optical fibers 28 together in a parallelarrangement within the optical fiber ribbon 26. Surrounding thepolymeric matrix 42 is an outer coating 44. In embodiments, ribbonidentification information is printed on to polymeric matrix 42, and theouter coating 44 helps to preserve the printing from smudging, rubbingoff, abrasion, etc.

Having described the main distribution cable 12 and its components, theprocess for furcating the optical fiber cable 10 will now be discussedwith reference to FIG. 4. For clarity and ease of illustration, twofurcation legs 14 are shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4; however, theprocess depicted is equally applicable to furcated optical fiber cables10 having more than two furcation legs 14. Initially, the cable jacket22 is stripped from the main distribution cable 12, revealing theoptical fiber ribbons 26. Further, the optical fiber ribbons 26 are ableto be further divided into furcation legs. For example, the opticalfiber ribbons 26 depicted in FIG. 2 contain twenty-four optical fibers28. In embodiments and as shown in FIG. 4, during furcation, eachtwenty-four fiber optical fiber ribbon 26 (“large optical fiber ribbon26”) is divided into two twelve fiber ribbons 45 (“small optical fiberribbons 45”) for each furcation leg 14.

During the step of stripping the cable jacket 22, sections of thestrength members 32 of the main distribution cable are left exposed aswell, which as will be discussed more fully below help to support thefurcation location. In embodiments, three to five inches of the strengthmembers 32 are left exposed after the initial stripping step.

After stripping the main distribution cable 12, a furcation leg jacket46 is then pushed over each of the exposed small optical fiber ribbons45. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the furcation leg jacket 46 also includesstrength members 48, which are in part exposed so as to support thesplice region. The furcation leg jacket 46 is of a length so thatbetween one half and two inches of the small optical fiber ribbons 45remain exposed at the end of the furcation leg 14 by the maindistribution cable 12. Additionally, between three and five inches ofthe small optical fiber ribbons 45 remain exposed for performing thesplice to the connectors 18 as shown in FIG. 5.

The splice to the connectors 18 is performed via mass fusion splicing.More specifically, the connectors 18 have their own optical fiber ribbon47 extending from a crimp body 49 of the connector 18. The optical fiberribbon 47 of the connectors 18 are spliced to the small optical fiberribbons 45 of the furcation legs 14. In order to perform this splice,the individual optical fibers 28 are exposed by stripping the primarycoating 38, secondary coating 40, polymeric matrix 42, and outer coating44 from the optical fibers 28 (as shown in FIG. 3). As shown on a singlefurcation leg 14 in FIG. 5, the optical fibers 28 (also stripped) of theconnectors 18 are then fused to the optical fibers 28 of the furcationleg 14 to form a splice 51 using a mass fusion splicer. Generally, massfusion splicers feature precision cleaving, aligning, and positioningtools such that the ends of the optical fibers 28 are able to be broughtinto close proximity and fused together using, e.g., an electric arc,laser, gas flame, etc., to produce connections having losses of lessthan 0.03 dB. In embodiments, the splice 51 is located near to theconnectors 18. That is, when the furcation leg 14 is unfurled or laidout along its longitudinal axis, the splice 51 is located closer to theconnectors 18 than to the furcation plug 16 (as shown, e.g., in FIG. 8).In a particular embodiment, each furcation leg 14 is spliced within teninches of a downstream end of its respective connector 18. In a moreparticular embodiment, each furcation leg 14 is spliced within fiveinches of the downstream end of its respective connector 18.

Immediately after the splicing is performed, a splice protection tube orsleeve may be slid over the splice region of the optical fibers 28. Thesplice protection tube is made of an inner tube and a strength membercontained inside a heat shrink wrap. Once the inner tube is placed overthe splice region, the heat shrink wrap is heated to seal the inner tubeand strength member in place. In this way, the spliced optical fiberribbon 26 is able to be safely handled with a substantially reduced riskof damage to the optical fibers 28.

Once the splice protection tube is in place, the furcation leg jacket 46is pushed forward (as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 5) toward theconnector 18 until the strength members 48 contact the end of theconnector 18 as shown in FIG. 6. More specifically, the strength members48 are inserted into the crimp body 49 of the connector 18. Inembodiments and as shown in FIG. 7, a heat shrink wrap 50 is placedaround the splice region, including the strength members 48, and heatshrunk into place as an initial layer of environmental protection forthe splice region. In embodiments, superabsorbent polymer powder and/orwater swellable yarn are contained inside the heat shrink wrap 50 toprevent water from reaching the connector 18.

Next, the furcation plug 16 is molded, formed, or otherwise placedaround the location of furcation as shown in FIG. 8. In an embodiment,the furcation plug 16 is an aluminum tube with a heat shrink wrap. Insuch embodiments, the aluminum tube furcation plug 16 is sealed with asealant 52, such as a polyurethane, epoxy, urethane, or other hardenableresin (e.g., LOCTI 3360, available from Henkel Corporation). In anotherembodiment, the furcation plug 16 is a rigid, molded resin. In FIG. 8,the furcation plug 16 is placed around the exposed portion of theoptical fiber ribbons 26 near the main distribution cable 12 (theexposed portion being larger as a result of the sliding forward of thefurcation leg jacket 46) and around the strength members 32 of the maindistribution cable 12. As mentioned above, the strength members 32provide structure and protection for main distribution cable 12 at thelocation of the furcation plug 16.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the furcation legs 14 are alsoprovided with the overmold 20 to further protect the splice region.Thus, the overmold 20 is located from directly behind the connectors 18to from three to five inches or more behind the location of the splice.In embodiments, the overmold 20 is a polyurethane composition capable ofprotecting the splice region from mechanical stresses and enhancing theenvironmental resistance of the furcated optical fiber cable 10.

Advantageously, embodiments of the presently disclosed furcated opticalfiber cable 10 enable outdoor operation and can be used with fibercounts up to or exceeding 144 fibers. In particular, the furcatedoptical fiber cable 10 is constructed of outdoor rated materials that,e.g., include mildewcides and are capable of withstanding extreme cold(e.g., as low as −40° C.) and extreme hot temperatures (e.g., up to 80°C.). Another advantage of the furcated optical fiber cable 10 is thatthe splice regions near the connectors 18 maintain flexibility, whichaids in the installation process. Additionally, because the furcatedoptical fiber cable 10 utilizes a short, rigid furcation plug 16 at thelocation of furcation, use of a pulling grip that can withstand forcesgreater than the cable installation rating of around 600 pounds ispossible.

In particular, FIGS. 10-12 depict embodiments of how the furcatedoptical fiber cable 10 can be configured for pulling through a ductusing a pulling attachment 58. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, apulling ring 56 encircles the main distribution cable 12. A high-tensilestrength mesh fabric, or pulling mesh 60, is attached to the pullingring 56 and surrounds the furcation legs 14 and furcation plug 16. Atthe opposite end, the pulling mesh 60 is knotted into a pulling loop 62.Advantageously, the furcated optical fiber cable 10 is able to be usedwith such existing pulling attachments 58. Such pulling attachments 58are able to easily be put together and removed in the field without anyspecial tools.

Referring now to FIG. 11, the main distribution cable 12 is strippedalong a section and the optical fiber ribbons 26 are exposed. Thefurcation legs 14 are spliced to the exposed optical fiber ribbons 26 inthe stripped section, and a protective sleeve 65 is position around thesplice region. After the stripped section, the main distribution cable12 continues for the purposes of installation, and as part of theinstallation, the end section of the main distribution cable 12 isremoved. In particular, the central strength member or members 32 of themain distribution cable 12 are used to pull the furcated optical fibercable 10 through ductwork.

In furtherance of this goal, the end section of the main distributioncable 12 and the exposed optical fiber ribbons 26 are contained in acorrugated protective tube 64. A heat shrink wrap 66 is then appliedover at least a part of the protective sleeve 65 and over at least partof the corrugated protective tube 64. A second heat shrink wrap 66 isplaced over at least a part of the other end of the protective sleeve 65and at least a part of the main distribution cable 12. An overmold 20 isthen applied over both heat shrink wraps 66, over the protective sleeve65, and over at least a portion of the corrugated protective tube 64. Apulling grip 70 is attached to the end of the main distribution cable 12or the corrugated protective tube 64. In an embodiment, the pulling grip70 is a wire mesh sleeve that constricts around the main distributioncable 12 when a tensile force is applied.

Using the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11, the main distribution cable 12is able to be pulled through an installations ductwork with commonlyknown cable pulling grips and methods. Additionally, the installer isable to use the installer's own pulling grip for installation. Also, thestrength member or members 32 of the main distribution cable 12 carrythe load of the cable per currently performed processes.

Referring now to FIG. 12, another embodiment is provided in which thefurcation legs 14 are contained in a corrugated protective tube 64,similar to the previous embodiment. Also like the previous embodiment, asection of the main distribution cable 12 is stripped to expose theoptical fiber ribbons 26 for splicing within a protective sleeve 65.Further, the protective sleeve 65 and the corrugated protective tube 64are covered with a heat shrink wrap 66 and an overmold 20. However,unlike the previous embodiment, the main distribution cable 12 ends atthe stripped section such that the central strength member 32 does notcontinue forward. In order to provide a mechanical link to the maindistribution cable 12, a pulling plug 72, such as an epoxy plug, isprovided behind the overmold 20, and a pulling wire 68, such as muletape, connects the pulling ring 56 to the pulling loop 62, which inembodiments is a knot formed from the pulling wire 68. Advantageously,this embodiment provides a slimmer overall design for pulling throughductwork.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps beperformed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim doesnot actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is nototherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that thesteps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intendedthat any particular order be inferred. In addition, as used herein, thearticle “a” is intended to include one or more than one component orelement, and is not intended to be construed as meaning only one.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit or scope of the disclosed embodiments. Since modifications,combinations, sub-combinations and variations of the disclosedembodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the embodimentsmay occur to persons skilled in the art, the disclosed embodimentsshould be construed to include everything within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of furcating an optical fiber cable,comprising the steps of: dividing a plurality of optical fibers from amain distribution cable into at least two furcation legs; pushing afurcation jacket over each of the at least two furcation legs; slidingthe furcation jacket of each of the at least two furcation legs towardsthe main distribution cable so as to expose at least a three-inchportion of the optical fibers in each of the at least two furcationlegs; splicing optical fibers of a connector to the exposed portion ofthe optical fibers of each furcation leg; sliding the furcation jacketof each furcation leg toward the connector; placing a furcation plug ata location where the main distribution cable is divided into the atleast two furcation legs; and covering the exposed portion of theoptical fibers of each furcation leg.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe furcation jacket of each of the at least two furcation legscomprises one or more strength members and wherein the step of slidingthe furcation jacket of each furcation leg toward the connector furthercomprises sliding the furcation jacket of each furcation leg toward theconnector until the one or more strength members contacts the connector.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of covering the exposedportion of the optical fibers of each furcation leg further comprisescovering the exposed portion of the optical fibers of each furcation legwith a heat shrink wrap.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofcovering the exposed portion of the optical fibers of each furcation legfurther comprises covering the exposed portion of the optical fibers ofeach furcation leg with an overmold.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinthe step of splicing a connector to the exposed portion of the opticalfibers of each furcation leg is performed at a location that is nearerto the connector of each furcation leg than to the furcation plug. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the step of dividing a plurality ofoptical fibers from a main distribution cable into at least twofurcation legs further comprises dividing from 72 to 144 optical fibersfrom the main distribution cable into the at least two furcation legs.7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: sealing thefurcation plug to the main distribution cable and to each of the atleast two furcation legs with a urethane sealant.
 8. A pullingconfiguration for a furcated optical fiber cable, comprising: a maindistribution cable including a plurality of optical fibers surrounded bya cable jacket; at least two furcation legs into which the plurality ofoptical fibers are divided, the at least two furcation legstransitioning from the main distribution cable; a furcation plug locatedat a transition point between the main distribution cable and the atleast two furcation legs, the furcation plug surrounding at least aportion of the main distribution cable and each of the at least twofurcation legs; a pulling ring encircling the main distribution cableand located on a side of the furcation plug opposite the furcation legs;a pulling mesh surrounding the at least two furcation legs; and apulling loop formed at an end of the pulling mesh; wherein the pullingloop is mechanically linked to the main distribution cable via thepulling ring such that pulling forces on the pulling loop are primarilyborne by the main distribution cable.